The Space Shuttle fleet is housed and processed at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Fla. The order the Space Shuttles are listed in this report does not necessarily reflect the chronological order of future missions.
Discovery (OV-103)
Discovery entered a month-long power-down period on Wednesday in the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) for its Return to Flight mission, STS-114, to the International Space Station. During this period modifications will be made for Return to Flight, including wiring that will support the addition of the boom sensor system, External Tank separation camera and installation of the wing leading-edge sensors.
Work completed prior to the power-down period included left-hand Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) pod thruster installation, air data probe leak tests and KU-Band system testing and antenna deploy. In addition, the right-hand OMS pod was moved to the OPF and should be installed within the next few weeks.
Atlantis (OV-104)
In the OPF, Atlantis is in a four-month power-down period to complete Return to Flight modifications, as well as structural and baseline wire inspections.
Freon Coolant Loop No.1 and 2 have been drained and configured for power down. Radiators have been stowed and latched. Rudder Speed Brake removal and replacement continues on schedule.
Endeavour (OV-105)
Endeavour is in its Orbiter Major Modification period begun in December. Electrical modifications continue in the crew module. Wire inspections are ongoing in the Environmental Control and Life Support System bay.
All four of the right-hand radiators are installed on the vehicle for flight. Bead blasting of Endeavour’s left-hand wing leading edge are complete, and preparations are being made to work on the right-hand wing and body flap cove area. Tile bonds on the External Tank door continue, with the fit check of the nose cap scheduled for no earlier than late next week.
Previous Space Shuttle processing status reports are available on the Internet at:
http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/status/status.htm